Left my in-car fridge plugged in the boot over night at the weekend.

In the morning, went to get my lasses coat off the back seats, unlocked the car via remote, opened back door - no problem.

Then went too open drivers door and it was locked and wouldnt unlock. kept trying - nothing. Both rear doors were unlocked but boot and front doors wouldnt budge. (not dawned on me it was battery yet.) Few 'choice words' were aimed at the car - didnt help. Deadlocks still engaged so couldnt open front doors from the inside either.

Finally it dawned on my it was probably the battery as interior lights were very dim. Remebered about the hidden key hole in the drivers door and managed to get that open.

Dont know if there is one in the passenger side, but i didnt think to check. Hope so, as the bonnet open lever "cant" be pulled with the passenger door closed. With some dandgerously close to snapping bending of the lever, I got it open.

Now - jump leads. I had thought when when I got the car - theres a good chance I will flatten the battery with these 'always on' power sockets, so I'll keep some jump leads in the car. That cubby hole where the spare wheel would be (not specc'd on mine), would be a great place to store them. But, couldnt get the boot open because the battery was dead. Poo!

So, back seats down, loads of stuff, including a fairly heavy fridge to bring out through the back of the car, parcel shelf out with difficulty, carpet pulled and wedged sideways so I could get underneith to the leads.

Jump starting was not a problem, and all was good after that, but i have learnt my lesson. Unplug lighter adaptors when I'm not driving, and keep jump leads accessible when battery is dead.

On another note - I've been trawling the internet for a 'voltage controlled adaptor' for the sockets - something like a relay that turns off the power at about 11.3v and turns on at 14.5v. That way I could have my phone, computer etc charging when the car is off, but wihtout risking a dead battery, but no one seems to make them. There are a few diy electronic circuits but they seem a little complacated. I just want a plug in adaptor. Seems to be a gap in the market

Ouch, what a bu99er!

 

I have a fridge too, but it switches off when the voltage drops below a preset threshold.  My old TVR had a charge socket under the wing for just such occasions.  It took ages to charge up fully but within a minute or so there was enough power for the  doors to pop open on the solenoids.

 

I have also considered the no-locks issue and didn't know about a hidden lock. Can you PM me its location please?

 

I have also considered the no-locks issue and didn't know about a hidden lock. Can you PM me its location please?

 

The hidden lock is where you'd expect it to be on the drivers door handle, look underneath and there's a little slot in the cover so you can prise it off with your key, it's also discrbed in the owners manual.

 

 

Jump starting was not a problem, and all was good after that, but i have learnt my lesson. Unplug lighter adaptors when I'm not driving, and keep jump leads accessible when battery is dead.

 

 

Did you remember not to put the negative jump lead on the negative terminal on the battery but use the exposed negative earth point on the bulkhead?

 

Did you remember not to put the negative jump lead on the negative terminal on the battery but use the exposed negative earth point on the bulkhead?

Yeah. The negative battery post is covered up, and I also think i remeber reading it in the manual.

Most cars say 'dont connect to the battery, but to the part of the frame, but dont provide you with anywhere very suitable. My Mondeo's battery was positioned so the negative side was under the windscreen, sort of into the car. and there was a little bolt-like post on the bulk head to connect it. Would have been a right pain to change the battery though.

Is there a hidden keyhole on the passenger door? I'd look but my car is in having its xenon light controller replaced today.

If there isnt, it'd be a fairly major design flaw. The speaker on my passenger door is a bit scratched from me prising the bonnet release handle up and over it

Is there a hidden keyhole on the passenger door? I'd look but my car is in having its xenon light controller replaced today.

If there isnt, it'd be a fairly major design flaw. The speaker on my passenger door is a bit scratched from me prising the bonnet release handle up and over it

 

No there isn't

...not good then

...not good then

 

No, not at all, just don't flatten the battery.

 

Maybe speak to Skoda UK to see there thoughts on it....

I don't understand why Skoda has designed the power to remain on when the ignition is off as there is likely to be many repeated issues like this one except some people won't be able to recover so well and will need Skoda roadside assistance. Leaving stuff powered on is asking for trouble IMO.

My mondeo hada 15 minute timer which was alright. I like it always being on, because i'm a cheapskate and want to save probably 5p/year on electric bill by charging my laptop and phone in the car. (Company car + fuel, so extra fuel usage isnt an issue). I could charge my phone and laptop several times without it affecting the car battery, however the fridge must use significantly more power.

A 12V battery with a cigarette lighter plug on the end would be enough to power the system to unlock the doors etc.  If the interior cigarette lighter socket is permanently connected then simply unlock front door with emergency key hole, then plug power supply into cigarette lighter socket, leave for a minute then unlock the doors with the remote.

Bunch of options here, none are a full solution but slightly better than a circuit board. Guess you could solder an accessory plug on rather than hard wiring

http://dashcamtalk.com/battery-discharge-prevention/